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The Pardons and Paroles Board denied parole for Thomas Blanton, 86, the last surviving bomber.

Co-conspirator Robert Chambliss was convicted in connection with the bombing in 1977, while Bobby Cherry was convicted in 2002. Both men died while serving their prison sentences.

Dozens of people showed up in Montgomery for the hearing wearing ribbons that read "Keep Thomas Blanton behind bars."

Blanton was convicted 15 years ago of bombing the 16th Street Baptist Church that killed four little girls.

Sarah Collins Rudolph lost her sister and sight in one eye that day.

"We were in church learning about love and forgiveness, while somebody was outside doing hateful things," she said.

Blanton was not present for the parole hearing and no one spoke on his behalf. Eight people pleaded with the two-person board for Blanton to serve out the rest of his life sentence in prison.

"Justice was finally served in 2001 in the case of Thomas Blanton. And I think he should continue to serve his justice in prison for the rest of his life," said Lisa McNair, whose sister Denise was killed in the bombing.

"The least the state of Alabama can do is say that life means life. He took four lives," said Dianne Braddock, whose sister Carole Robertson was killed in the bombing.